Government through the Ministry of Health has urged Zimbabweans to remain calm despite reports that South Africa recorded its first case of monkey pox on Wednesday.
South Africa joins 40 other countries that have identified patients with the disease.
Responding to a local publication, health ministry spokesperson Donald Mujiri, said Zimbabweans must remain calm.
He referred people to read the ministry’s June 6 statement on monkey pox preventive measures.
“Avoiding contact with animals that could harbour the virus, any materials, such as bedding and clothing that has been in contact with a sick animal or person suspected to have monkey-pox infection,” the statement read in
part.
“Isolating suspected infected patients from others who could be at risk for infection. Practising good hand hygiene such as the washing of hands with soap and water or using an alcohol-based hand sanitizer. Using personal protective equipment when caring for suspected patients,” it added.
Monkeypox is a rare viral infection in humans characterized by an acute illness of fever and general flu-like symptoms, followed by the eruption of a blister-like rash on the skin.
Since May 2022, monkey pox has been reported in more than 3 000 individuals from several European countries, the United States, Canada, Australia, Morocco and the United Arab Emirates.
The disease is rarely fatal and symptoms disappear within two to four weeks. Most cases do not require hospitalization.